Sunday, June 12, 2022

First DBA Army Completed: 15mm Early Hebrews

Back in October I announced here a project called “Getting Biblical”.  A friend of mine had previously expressed surprise that I as a wargaming clergyman had shown no interest in biblical era armies and battles, and I thought, “good point, why is that?”  The question was especially perplexing as, early in 2020, I spent a month in Ethiopia teaching the book of Isaiah to some young seminarians, and I thought at the time, what great inspiration.   Every power of the Middle East - Egypt, Ethiopia, Assyria, Israel and Judah, and Babylon - is mentioned in that book.

In the last few months, I was introduced to DBA, and that made the whole project seem far less daunting.   Working in 15mm, generating 12 bases for a complete early Hebrew army, that all seemed doable.   So, I dug out the Fighting 15/Gladiator ancients figures I purchased last year and got to work.  It’s hard to find dedicated ancient Jewish figures, but the Fighting 15 Syrian/Canaanite range seemed close enough.  It didn’t take me that long to get these figures finished and based.  Don’t ask me about the shields, I just had fun with them.

 Out of these figures I can assemble this army, which in DBA parlance is 1/27 Early Hebrew c 1250BC - 1000BC.  Baker and Laflin-Barker write: “This list covers the Hebrew armies from the selection of Joshia a Judge until David’s accession as King and is largely based on the Biblical - which, unreliable as this may be as history, is often the only source available” (DBA 3 WRG 2014 p. 42).  

The lighting here is uneven, but in the front row left there are 2 X Gadite or Issacharian skirmishing javelin men (Psiloi), with the choice of third unit of Ps front right.  I could have chosen either retained mercenaries - 4 Aux (Auxiliary), but I wanted the whole army to be Fast and the extra unit of Ps to exploit rough terrain (the only battlefield on which this army survives).

In the middle row, starting on the left, is 1 X Benjamin archers or slingers - 3 Bw (Bow), then 2 X Simeonites or Ephraimites - 3 Wb (Warband) - and on the right the General based as 3 Ax.  In the rear rank are 5 X other tribesmen (3 Ax).

Historical opponents for this army include 1/6b Midianite or Amalekite Army or early Arab Army, 1/20a Ugarit Army, 1/20b Other Syro/Canaainite Army, 1/22a or 1/22b New Kingdom Egyptian, 1/29a or b Philiistine, and 1/31a or b Neo Hittite/Later Aramean Army.

I have four chariot stands complete which I’ll save for another post, which would give me the nucleus of a Syro-Canaanite army, but a Hebrew/Philiistine matchup would be fun and would take me back to Sunday school days.    I mentioned the Book of Isaiah at the start of this post, and all of the armies mentioned above pre-date the period of the two kingdoms, the exile, and post-exile.   Never fear, a recently arrived order from Essex gives me three DBA armies to paint and play with: Late Hebrew, neo-Assyrian and Babylonian, so I’m quite spoiled for choice, really.

Blessings to your brushes!

MP+

In the 

10 comments:

  1. Michael! Great fun to see your Biblical project taking shape. Awaiting the arrival of your chariots.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan. Should have the chariots here soon!

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  2. A fine looking host! Hopefully you were warned that painting up "a" DBA army is like eating one handful of potato chips....

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    1. Indeed, especially as the DBA armies are so bite sized!

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  3. This is the sort of project I would have enjoyed doing myself - and I might well have chosen the Hittite Empire (supposing it ever really existed) or maybe the Hittite Kingdoms (which seems more 'historical'. But it's one of those projects in which you could have all sorts of interesting armies (I'd take Phil Barker's comments with a large dollop of salt, but).

    You could equally well use them in 'Hordes of the Things' battles - very similar to DBA, but adding a few extras. E.g. An Israelite Army with David as 'hero' (or maybe 'paladin') and the Philistines adding Goliath as a 'behemoth'...
    Cheers,
    Ion

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    1. Hello Ion! Yes the Hittites would be great fun. Compared to their epic struggles with the Egyptians, the early Hebrews and their small skirmishes with their neighbours are pretty small affairs.
      The fact that Barker could comment on every army ever fielded between the dawn of time and the early Renaissance is either testament to his scholarship or his hubris!
      I would like to try HOTT some day.

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  4. That's a nice little force there and as you say, perfect for a man of your 'profession'.

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    1. Thanks Steve! “Wargaming the Old Testament” could be a great Bible study or sermon series!

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  5. Congrats on a fine start to drag gaming. Of all the ancient period rules sets, it is the one I would play again. Nice job on the troops.

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    1. Thanks but I’m. It sure I’m ready to start “drag gaming”! I look TERRIBLE in high heels and makeup! 😉

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